The 334m long vessels are two of eight 'C' type boxships being introduced on the CEM service in the coming months to replace the 5,600 TEU 'U' type vessels currently deployed.

Thamesport's £2.4m investment in upgrading its cranes means they can now handle vessels such as LT Cortesia , which can stow containers across 17 rows. Such capability is increasingly critical in the fiercely competitive European ports market.

David Gledhill, chief operating officer of Thamesport said, 'We warmly welcome Evergreen's decision to upgrade their fleet on the CEM service. The additional capacity available on this route means that Thamesport can expect to handle ever greater volumes of cargo from China in the future.'

To commemorate the inaugural visit of the LT Cortesia to Thamesport, Chris Hall, divisional manager, presented the master of the vessel, Capt Jabs, with a print from a newly commissioned painting of the port, by local Medway artist Chris Jarvis. The ceremony was attended by a delegation of Evergreen officials including Mr James Hwang, president Evergreen UK/London.

MJInformation No: 20917